The Laverda Atlas OR 600 is an unlikely gem amongst the many fine bikes produced
by Laverda over the years. At first it appears as something of an oddity within
the model range but closer investigation reveals that it was a perfectly logical
progression for the company to enter what was to become known as the ‘big
trailie’ sector. BMW undoubtedly created the genre with their G/S range [Gelande
Strasse, which, very loosely translated, means trail and street]but what is a
little known fact is that Laverda had been deeply deeply involved with BMW’s G/S
project and had been engaged as development engineers by the Bavarian concern .

One can only assume that Laverda , who already had numerous successful off road
bikes within their range, must have looked at the subsequent success of the G/S
and felt that they too should be in the burgeoning uber trail bike sector. At
first glance the relatively peaky 500cc powerplant seems an odd choice as the
basis for the OR 600 engine but Laverda , no doubt using their considerable
experience of preparing the 500cc engines for endurance racing, created a strong
and torquey motor ideally suited to the task in hand. An increase in bore size
to 76mm retaining the 63mm stroke raised the capacity to 571cc , low compression
pistons and softer Atlas spec cams gave it a more user friendly power delivery
better suited to the new bike.

After showing a prototype at the Milan show in 1985, Laverda went into
production in 1986 with the Series 1 Atlas, identified by its blue and white
livery. A re- designed gear selector quadrant with a neater low profile positive
stop system made neutral selection easier. The new generation Laverda twin had
many improvements such as strengthened crankcases, bigger valves, helical gear
primary drive [to reduce noise] revamped pistons, heads and barrels, re-profiled
cams all helping to create a tough, reliable machine ideally suited to the long
haul.

The Atlas also gained a second balance weight at the end of a long shaft which
traversed the front of the engine. With a riding position that seats the rider
in, rather than on the machine, the Atlas is a comfortable all-day riding
proposition , especially with a useful 6 gallon tank which provides a useful
touring range of well over 230 miles between refills. The intriguingly named
‘Soft Ramble’ monoshock rear suspension is an effective system providing plenty
of travel whilst ensuring good chassis composure on bumpy back roads. Breathing
is slightly compromised by the convoluted intakes created by the Dellorto twin
choke car style carburettor. Despite this, the Atlas is still capable of 105mph
which is more than adequate for a machine of this nature.

Possibly the most significant improvement to the engine was the simple provision
of an oil cooler, coupled with a larger 10mm oil pump, two essentials which all
but the racing versions of the 500 motor lacked. With its 3l oil capacity, the
500c unit was always marginal in the oil cooling department and the new cooling
system and pump provided some much needed relief for the earlier motor’s
slightly overstretched lubrication system.

Atlas production lasted just four years [’86 to ‘90] and included a model revamp
partway through the production run. From an initially encouraging first year
production of 300 units, Atlas manufacturing output ran to only 60, 40 and
finally 50 units in the last year of production. The low volumes are perhaps
more of a reflection of the troubled times the factory had found itself in
rather than an indication that the Atlas was misjudged in the market place. The
series 2 Atlas is identified by its red and white colour scheme and its
distinctive side mounted oil coolers. There were minor alterations to the side
panels and tail unit [which housed the new Motoplat ignition module] and the
exhaust now exited on the left but fundamentally there was little difference
between the two models. The total production of approximately 450 units makes
the Atlas quite a rarity nowadays. This is great pity because the Atlas, perhaps
more so than any other classic Laverda, is a truly viable everyday bike and a
genuinely versatile machine.

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